Travolta and Latifah officially signed for HAIRSPRAY film- Page 2

[Feathah]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:55am

No WAY would Harvey sell more tickets. You're talking about mainstream America. John Travolta is a big name.

Of course us theater fans would LOVE to see Harvey but I'm not surprised he wasn't cast. Does anyone even know if he was up for it?

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:56am

I'm going to come down on the side of Travolta. I think he'll be a terrific Edna. He's a better singer than Harvey.

I seem to remember Travolta doing something in drag (was it for SNL?), and he was hilarious. He totally committed to the character and did it without winking or making a comment on the character. That's exactly what you need to do for Edna.

I'll give Queen Latifah the benefit of the doubt. I don’t think she’s “perfect” for the role based on her singing voice (which really isn’t a belty type voice). But she does have the right attitude and a truly engaging screen presence.

I think the producers are on the right track with this cast.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:57am

I'm with Feathah.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:57am

Personally I think its a mistake. John Travolta is not a big name anymore - in fact all of his films recently that he has the starring role have failed miserably.

Not to mention - he's not that good of actor.

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:03am

The people who will see this movie are the Hairspray fans and we love Harvey. I can't say I will even see this film and I was looking forward to it.
Harvey might not have a gorgeous voice but he is EDNA TURNBLAD, and I would have probably seen the movie many times if he was in it.
Sad. I think Travolta is a fine actor. I have no issue with him, but Harvey is Edna and I would have loved to have seen him in the film. In fact, I was planning on buying it.
Now, I plan on waiting for HBO.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:06am

Yes but they aren't making it for "the fans" they're making it to make money, and Travolta is a bigger draw than Harvey.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:07am

I'm sure the producers will be very sad to know that they lost $100 because you don't want to see the movie, Corine. That's what would've helped make or break them at the box office.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:11am

I think Travolta is being Mis-cast. People are like Harvey doesn't sing it well, but that is the whole point of Edna, she's suppose to sound like a man. I think Queen Latifah would be fine as Motor Mouth, but I think they should do the original cast. If people want to see a movie musical they will see it, no matter who is in it. Ah well, we will see how it is in 2007.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:14am

What works on stage doesn't always work on film. I don't think Harvey's performance would make a clean transition to a medium full of closeups. Are we going to have to listen to people complain about this until and past the summer of 2007?

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:24am

I think Travolta would do fine in a dress but he actually has a singing voice. Edna doesn't. It will be interesting to see if Travolta does something to make his voice sound gravelly. (Is that a word?!!)

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:26am

Who says Edna can't have a good singing voice? That's Harvey's take on the role, which mostly comes from his own vocal limits. Again, especially since O'Brien and Mitchell are gone, this isn't likely to be a scene for scene, character by character recreation of the show. There are likely to be new takes on the characters.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:28am

Is it wrong that every time you post you make me want to sing the opening song for Company? Because I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooove you!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:31am

To kitza with love from all these...good and crazy people your friends!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:33am

Did Uma or Will work for the Producers? Pretty big names, but the movie flopped. Casting big names may not always work.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:33am

Ahhh, I must put on that CAST RECORDING in my car during my lunch break.

You I love, and you I love, and you and you and you I love!

Updated On: 3/3/06 at 10:33 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:36am

And movie musical is bound to flop. Putting stars in the roles gives you a better chance, period.

And Kitz, please tell me you didn't call it a soundtrack.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:37am

Shaiman and Wittman are smart guys, they know their stuff, and I can't see them letting this project go wrong.

Well they just did. Both of these choices are just sooo wrong. As South Fl Marc pointed out Travolta is NOT a box office draw any more. He is a joke. And Latifa is just too young and soft to play Motor Mouth. Not to mention she is not right vocally at all.

Sorry, Marc, but this has disaster written all over it.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:38am

I bet Travolta will be a riot in the part. Movie audiences should get a kick out of seeing him as Edna. I hope they add some "Edna-esque" dancing, since he is a much more physical (and physically adept) actor. I've no doubt he'll chew off a good piece of the sets in the process. As far as Latifah... yes, she's too young to be the mother of Seaweed, so I'm sure they'll do their best to make her look "older." I still have a feeling she'll kick butt as Mabel. She knows how to "work the screen," even if her voice isn't quite gospelly enough for "I Know Where I've Been." She'll convince us in that number, I'm sure.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:41am

BobbyBubby....I said that because it seems that's how they are casting the show. I didn't see Harvey but I saw Bruce in Denver (Had dinner with him also. Great Guy.)

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:45am

GAH! I can't believe I did that! I'm so ashamed

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:46am

It's alright. Hopefully they'll make a film of Company. I'm praying they cast Dean Jones and Elaine Stritch in their original roles. They were Bobby and Joanne. OMG I LOVE THEM!

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:47am

Elaine Stritch is certifiable and I love her nonetheless.

I'm 20 and my legs aren't that good!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:49am

Yea, Travolta is a HUGE star! Scroll down the list of his films of the last ten years and ask yourself A)Did I see this film. B)Do I know anyone who has seen this film. C)Have I ever even HEARD of this film? (With the exception of Austin Powers which would have been a hit if Richard Simmons had been in it.)
So I really don't think you can argue that they NEED Travolta to sell tickets.

Travolta's Box Office Hits?

Updated On: 3/3/06 at 10:49 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:51am

They don't need him, but you also can't argue that Travolta will sell more tickets than Harvey.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:52am

Imdb doesn't link for some reason but I looked it up. Yeah, nothing major lately...